The Renegades
Will the renegades be held accountable for the break-in of the Mackinaw Band Office?
Dear Sir:
The following letter concerning my interaction with the Mackinac County Sheriff's and Prosecuting Attorney's offices is submitted for possible inclusion in the St. Ignace News. I believe it would be of general interest to all Mackinac County residents.
Thank you.
Charles E. Adams, Jr.
Laughlin, NV 89028
To the Editor:
Unauthorized entry into the locked offices of a non-profit corporation known as the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians (MBCOI in Cedarville, Michigan was made on Septermber 26, 2005 by a small group of dissident band members. Over a period of about three days, the renegades managed to remove all official records of the MBCOI as well as numerous items of personal property belonging to MBCOI officers and members.
On the date of initial unauthorized entry, the Mackinac County Sheriff’s office was notified of the violation of a locked space. A deputy sheriff, Perry Cushman by name, was dispatched to the location, ostensibly to investigate what on the surface appeared to be a blatant illegal act. I was personally involved in MBCOI activities, having volunteered many months of professional service in support of its efforts to attain federal recognition and as such was concerned that some of the property removed, if used without my permission, would constitute a violation of my intellectual property rights.
In an effort to learn the status of the Sheriff’s investigation and any possible results, in late 2005, I contacted the office of the Mackinac County Prosecuting Attorney, once by telephone and another time by a visit to the office. I was unable to speak directly with the Prosecuting Attorney on either occasion, however was told each time by an office spokesperson that an investigation was ongoing. To date, and in spite of my obvious interest and expressed concern for the matter, the results of that investigation have not been conveyed to me.
It is now approaching three years since the renegades violated the MBCOI offices. In a final effort to gain some knowledge of the violation and the status of my intellectual property, I sent a certified letter dated April 26, 2008 to the Mackinac County Sheriff requesting a copy of the report of the deputy who conducted the initial investigation. Subsequently I sent the Sheriff an email requesting instructions on the submission of an FOIA request, should such be necessary for the report to be released. The Sheriff has not as yet responded to either my email or my letter.
Not yet ready to give up on the Mackinac County law enforcement system, I sent a certified letter dated May 13, 2008 to the Prosecuting Attorney in which I conveyed essentially the same information and made the same request as I had in my earlier letter to the Sheriff. The Prosecuting Attorney has not as yet responded to my letter and anecdotal evidence suggests that he is disinclined to do so.
It has always been my understanding that public servants’ duties were to serve the public. I am beginning to believe that In Mackinac County that understanding may not apply.
Charles Adams
Laughlin, Nevada
Dear Sir:
The following letter concerning my interaction with the Mackinac County Sheriff's and Prosecuting Attorney's offices is submitted for possible inclusion in the St. Ignace News. I believe it would be of general interest to all Mackinac County residents.
Thank you.
Charles E. Adams, Jr.
Laughlin, NV 89028
To the Editor:
Unauthorized entry into the locked offices of a non-profit corporation known as the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians (MBCOI in Cedarville, Michigan was made on Septermber 26, 2005 by a small group of dissident band members. Over a period of about three days, the renegades managed to remove all official records of the MBCOI as well as numerous items of personal property belonging to MBCOI officers and members.
On the date of initial unauthorized entry, the Mackinac County Sheriff’s office was notified of the violation of a locked space. A deputy sheriff, Perry Cushman by name, was dispatched to the location, ostensibly to investigate what on the surface appeared to be a blatant illegal act. I was personally involved in MBCOI activities, having volunteered many months of professional service in support of its efforts to attain federal recognition and as such was concerned that some of the property removed, if used without my permission, would constitute a violation of my intellectual property rights.
In an effort to learn the status of the Sheriff’s investigation and any possible results, in late 2005, I contacted the office of the Mackinac County Prosecuting Attorney, once by telephone and another time by a visit to the office. I was unable to speak directly with the Prosecuting Attorney on either occasion, however was told each time by an office spokesperson that an investigation was ongoing. To date, and in spite of my obvious interest and expressed concern for the matter, the results of that investigation have not been conveyed to me.
It is now approaching three years since the renegades violated the MBCOI offices. In a final effort to gain some knowledge of the violation and the status of my intellectual property, I sent a certified letter dated April 26, 2008 to the Mackinac County Sheriff requesting a copy of the report of the deputy who conducted the initial investigation. Subsequently I sent the Sheriff an email requesting instructions on the submission of an FOIA request, should such be necessary for the report to be released. The Sheriff has not as yet responded to either my email or my letter.
Not yet ready to give up on the Mackinac County law enforcement system, I sent a certified letter dated May 13, 2008 to the Prosecuting Attorney in which I conveyed essentially the same information and made the same request as I had in my earlier letter to the Sheriff. The Prosecuting Attorney has not as yet responded to my letter and anecdotal evidence suggests that he is disinclined to do so.
It has always been my understanding that public servants’ duties were to serve the public. I am beginning to believe that In Mackinac County that understanding may not apply.
Charles Adams
Laughlin, Nevada
